Vertical packaging machine and associated control method

A vertical packaging machine comprising:

• a frame;
• a feed module attached to the frame with freedom of movement and configured to supply a film, the feed module including a reel holder on which the film to be supplied is wound as a reel;
• a fold forming module configured to receive the film supplied from the feed module and to generate a longitudinal fold in the film;
• a forming tube configured to receive the film with the longitudinal fold coming from the fold forming module;
• detection means configured to perform a first detection in a part of the film located between the forming tube and the fold forming module for detecting a position of a first reference of the film;
• actuation means with first and second actuators, the first actuator configured to move the feed module with respect to the frame in order to move the film laterally, the second actuator configured to move the fold forming module with respect to the feed module to adjust a position of the fold formed by the fold forming module with respect to a longitudinal edge of the film;
• and
• a control unit configured to cause the first actuator to move the feed module with respect to the frame and the second actuator to move the fold forming module with respect to the feed module while the film is being supplied,
• the detection means being configured to perform a second detection for detecting a position of a second reference of the film in a part of the film located upstream the fold forming module,
• the control unit being communicated with the detection means and configured to cause, based on the first detection performed by the detection means, the actuation means to cause a coordinated and/or joint movement of the feed module and of the fold forming module with respect to the frame such that the film is moved laterally without a position of the fold changing with respect to the longitudinal edge of the film, and for causing, based on the second detection performed by the detection means, the actuation means to cause the movement of the fold forming module with respect to the feed module such that after said movement, the position of the longitudinal fold generated by the fold forming module changes with respect to the longitudinal edge of the film compared with the longitudinal fold generated before said movement.